Dark Fantasy Short Stories

The epic follow-up to the acclaimed short story "The Dark Forest Protocol" In the wake of Earth's desperate survival in the silence of the galaxy, humanity’s fragile peace is shattered once more. The Dark Forest Protocol: Crimson Covenant catapults readers into a thrilling, high-stakes space opera, where the consequences of breaking the universe’s unspoken rule — silence — are far more dire than anyone could have imagined. After the Dark Forest Protocol events, Earth’s connection to the mysterious and ancient Forestworld has led to cautious coexistence. But peace is short-lived ...

The four previous volumes in Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling's anthology series of fairly-tales retold with a distinctively modern edge have been hailded by reviewers as "brilliant", "provocative", and "disturbing". In this triumphant new collection of original fiction, 21 of today's leading writers spin the cherished fables of childhood into glittering gold - offering magical tales for adults, as seductive as they are sophisticated.

In this darkly comic and surreal collection from celebrated author Alissa Nutting, misfit women scramble for agency in a series of uncanny circumstances. Throughout these breathtakingly creative 17 stories spread across time, space, and differing planes of reality, we encounter a host of women and girls in a wide range of unusual jobs. A space cargo deliverywoman enlists the help of her cybersex partner to release her mother from cryogenic prison.

Year of the Lepper, 746 - 3rd Cycle of the Dragon Every couple of thousand years the Dark Citadel rises in the East, within the Endless Ruins looking to bring darkness and evil to the world of Capris. Every couple of thousand years, the races of Capris are charged with fighting back the darkness or succumbing to its eternal death. In the year of the Lepper, it is no different. Four maybe heroes are called into service of the kingdom to ensure the Dark Citadel is once again vanquished. One, a human past his prime, but a great warrior in his day. One, an energy mage of the Engeli (humans who ...

Fantasy fanatics hang on because The Year's Best Fantasy, Volume 2 will take you on a fantastic journey like no other! Prepare to embark on yet another fantastic adventure with award-winning fantasy editor Paula Guran. Delve into realms that exceed the limits of your imagination and embrace the surreal! Enjoy tales ranging from wonderful to wicked. From lore and legends to myths and fables of alternative realities, you will discover bewitchment with every story.

Lacey, William, Alex, and Suul return to Toronto to find that Earth is experiencing areas of mysterious radiation poisoning, just like what happened in the dark dimension... This is Book 5 of "The Lost Voice Of the Dark World" - the second series of the "Voice of the Mountain" saga.

Markas hears news about dead people with weird symbols on their bodies. He decides to investigate symbols at the library to see if he can find anything. Shortly after he starts having dreams about the people and the rituals done on them. In one of such dreams, Markas sees visions of his own dad… Markas learns more data about the killer from his visions. A police investigation is also underway. As soon as possible, Marcus wants to bring his father the artifact that he found. As the sword gets closer, he suspects the visions will last longer.This is the fifth book of "The Demon King’s ...

Discover six stories sharing one impactful message in this fantasy collection.

Far, far away, a very long way from here, in the Halfling hamlet of Pondaroak, you’ll find an Inn named the Swindle & Swine. Elina Hogsbreath, the inn’s proprietor, comes from a long line of hedge witches — she learned the craft from her mother, who had learned it from her mother, tracing back generations. Stay for a spell. Come wolves, worgs, or worms, Elina will serve you right. This anthology contains five previously published stories: A Thyme of Trouble The Keening Cup The Magnificent Marion Maloney Midnight Tea The Song at Harvest’s End And one story totally unique to this ...

"Everything You've Always Wanted" by Mick Garris: It was supposed to be the night of his life - a celebration of his one hit slasher flick. But the price of admission is higher than this has-been filmmaker ever could have imagined. "The Land of Sunshine" by Kealan Patrick Burke: Although she was mute long before the affair that nearly wrecked their marriage, her silence has tortured her husband ever since. Now he will seek out what he has lost or be driven mad by remorse.

This short story collection will keep you on the edge of your seat to the last sentence. Misha Burnett has been published in a wide variety of modern fiction magazines, and here we've collected some of his best fantasy work.

With his player past, will she ever be able to trust him? Maggie Emerson has had a crush on her brother's friend Declan for years. She knows he's not into girls like her - he's always surrounded by skinny model types. With her curvy body and a career choice that never made her wealthy family happy, Maggie is sure Declan will never fall for her. Except now that her job is in jeopardy, she has no one else to turn to... Declan Archibald knows he wants no one else but Maggie. He wasn't ready for her before, but now he can't get her out of his mind. He tried wooing her a few months ago, and it ...

From Roger Zelansky's delightful tale of Death's disobedient godson to Peter Straub's blood-chilling examination of a gargantuan Cinderella and her terrible twisted "art," here are stories strange and miraculous - remarkable modern storytelling that remold our most cherished childhood fables into things sexier, more sinister - and more appealing to grown-up tastes and sensibilities.

An idyllic summer bike ride takes a turn into darkness. Ryan is excited about the first day of school, he is even more excited about seeing his best friend and his crush, Jen. Sometimes the road less traveled shouldn't be taken. "This is the first of the "Night Portals" series, which will consist of twelve short stories that are this author's equivalent of "The Twilight Zone" or "Black Mirror", telling darker tales about humanity and exploring "what if this happened" scenarios." Amazon Reviewer Chris Fried Night Portals is a metaphysical series that explores the hidden secrets of life ...

From the haunted hills of Roman Britain to the sewers of occupied Warsaw … in the bloodied streets of Revolutionary Paris, and the anarchy World War II Shanghai … out of the wilds of America, India, Africa and Europe … down the long savage darkness of the centuries, monsters have fed upon us. They are shapeshifters, vampires, sorcerers and spirits—things named only in myth, and things for which we have no name. They are our demons, our reflections, our desires and our nightmares. And all too often, they are … only human.

🔥Smart Erotica for Smart Readers🔥 A Steamy, Unapologetic Erotic Adventure by New York Times, USA TODAY and #1 Erotica Bestseller Marata Eros ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Sexy read! Want a book to raise your blood pressure? This is the one! Hot—really hot!" ~ Donna Morris ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "If you want a quickie that's steaming HOT, imaginative, and has a great storyline, this book is for you!" ~ Skylar Griffin 💋 Zoe’s always been the mastermind of her and Dara’s wildest escapades—but this time, her own desires take center stage.✨ Meet Zoe Scott: She’s ...

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A fourth anthology from the editors of Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears presents contemporary retellings of traditional fairy tales in Gregory Frost's "Sparks", "The Dog Rose" by Sten Westgard, and other works by Jane Yolen, Joyce Carol Oates, Nancy Kress, and John Crowley.

Black Heart, Ivory Bones showcases 20 beguiling tales for the child who was and the adult who is, penned by 20 of the most creative artists in contemporary American literature. Here dissected are the darker anatomies of the timeless, seemingly simple stories we have long loved. Here wonder and truth have serious bite.

The Ultimate Gothic Horror Collection is a fully indexed collection of classic gothic stories, read by four Audie-winning narrators. Included here are stories by Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sheridan Le Fanu, Oscar Wilde and Edgar Allan Poe.